Tories come out fighting as Eastleigh by-election battle starts

Before the candidates were even selected or the by-election writ moved, Conservative and Liberal Democrat big beasts were preparing for a ferocious fight over the marginal Hampshire seat.

Just 24 hours after Huhne, 58, admitted perverting the course of justice over speeding points, Mr Shapps signalled the Tories will not pull their punches in the contest.

He told the Standard: “For too long, the people of Eastleigh have been let down by an MP who was being less than straight forward with his constituents. Residents will take a dim view about having been lied to by their Lib-Dem MP.”

Maria Hutchings, who lost to Huhne in 2010, is expected to be selected as the Tory candidate.

Mr Shapps added: “What people want is somebody who is locally focused and is going to work hard for them. We will fight for every vote that we can get.”

David Cameron and dozens of Tory MPs are expected on the campaign trail.

The Lib-Dems are confident of holding Eastleigh, which Huhne retained with a 3,864 majority in 2010, but party chairman Tim Farron said: “We take absolutely nothing for granted… and we’ll be throwing the kitchen sink at it.”

Meanwhile today, Ukip leader Nigel Farage announced that he has decided not to stand.